Looking to put a twist on your Fourth of July festivities this year? Here’s a crazy idea: skip the BBQ and sell house July Fourth weekend.
Top real estate professionals across the country say there’s no need to worry about slow buyer traffic during the holiday because demand is still going strong. The Fourth of July is actually a great time to put your home on display. We talked to real estate experts in different regions to find out why.
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Parents need to get a home under contract before school starts
It feels like summer just began (technically, it did), but before you know it, school will be ramping up again. In parents’ minds, the Fourth of July is often a hard deadline on their home hunt. They need to snatch up a house in their preferred school district and get settled as soon as possible. If you have a home in a desirable school district, you’re in a strong position to bring motivated parents to the table.
“People want to be in a home before school starts,” says Mary Lobos, a top real estate agent in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “So if you’ve got a great house closer to one of the top schools, it’s much easier to get that into the market and get it sold pretty quickly.”
Remember that for most buyers who have children, it’s not just about finding a house. It’s also about beating the clock. Many school districts require proof of residency by a specific date for children to be enrolled. This adds another layer of urgency. So they’re not just browsing, but rather, they’re racing to make decisions before those enrollment deadlines hit.
On top of that, parents want more than just a quick close. They’re hoping for a few weeks to settle in, unpack, and help their kids adjust to a new environment before the first day of school. That means buyers are eyeing July as the sweet spot: close enough to the start of the school year to create urgency, but early enough to allow for a smooth transition.
If your home is not already on the market, listing soon after the holiday could also be a good option. Entering the market on or near the summer holidays will help you capture the attention of buyers with children who are looking to move into a new home before the school year begins.
Buyers who skip the BBQ are serious about making an offer
“A buyer who heads out in 10-degree weather, six inches of snow, in the middle of the holidays (or on the Fourth of July) to look for homes means business,” says Mike Cirillo, a top real estate agent in Philadelphia.
“You’re not going to be seeing tire kickers out there on the Fourth of July,” Cirillo explains. “They’re not out for a drive, stopping by an open house to see what a neighbor is up to.”
Expect buyers who come to showings during the week of the Fourth to be ready to make an offer on the spot (if they like what they see). After all, they’re giving up valuable holiday time and fun adventures, like cookouts, beach trips, and fireworks, to house hunt. That’s not something casual buyers do. It’s a sign they’re highly motivated and on a mission.
Many are also hoping to beat the midsummer buyer rush. With more listings expected later in July, savvy buyers know that acting early could help them avoid bidding wars and secure a home before the competition heats up.
Travelers on the Fourth of July might be thinking about a move
Listing your home Fourth of July week also sets you up to capture traffic from out-of-town buyers.
In some cases, holiday travelers are visiting friends or family and imagining what it would be like to live nearby. Maybe it’s grandparents wanting to be near the grandkids, or adult kids thinking about moving back home. A great visit can spark that idea, and next thing you know, they’re checking out local listings before they head back.
“There may be someone [who’s] decided, ‘Hey, I want to toy with the idea of moving to Atlanta and being close to my grandkids. Let’s go look at this house,’” says Sarah Stovall, a top real estate agent in the Atlanta metro area. “And if [your home isn’t] on the market, you’re not going to be seen.”
The same is true for travelers thinking about buying a second home in their vacation town. Kim Erwin, a top real estate agent in Corpus Christi, Texas, sees a lot of this in her market.
“We’re a strong second home market—about a three-hour drive time on Padre Island, which puts you close to Austin,” says Erwin. “So we’re extremely busy around the holidays because people come down, buyers come down, and they kind of fall in love with the area and they want to buy a property.”
For others, a vacation is more than just a getaway. It’s a trial run for a different lifestyle. The slower pace, scenic views, or simple charm of a place can make people start thinking seriously about relocating. If your home’s listed while potential buyers are in that mindset, you might catch them at just the right moment.
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Strike while the housing market is hot
While buyer traffic is historically slower on holidays in terms of sheer volume, Cirillo saw a lot of motivated buyers in Philadelphia who came from a place of having multiple offers rejected when the housing market was at its peak.
These buyers were as serious as it gets about finding a home, so whether it was the week of the Fourth or not didn’t make a difference.
“The holiday is kind of second fiddle to buyers in a hot market,” says Cirillo. “I wouldn’t be waiting [to list]. You never know when the market could come to a screeching halt. Get it up, and get it up as soon as possible.”
Should you decorate your home for the Fourth of July if you’re selling it?
The answer may depend on where you’re located.
Stovall in Atlanta, for instance, says you should always remain in neutral territory for any holiday.
“I tell people, when they’re listed at Christmas time, if they’re going to decorate their house for their particular religion … we either a) need to slow the traffic down through that time period, or you just can’t put as much out, and if you do, just be respectful and responsible.”
The same applies to July Fourth in her market, says Stovall. You want to avoid decorating in any particular theme.
The opposite is the case for Erwin in Corpus Christi, a Texas city on the Gulf of Mexico with a military base. Erwin encourages her seller clients in the area to decorate tastefully. Many opt for putting out the American flag, patriotic banners, and red, white, and blue lights, especially those homes lining the canal that will be on display for the Fourth of July boat parade.
“In my market niche, it actually helps,” says Erwin. “It adds a lot to the ambience when you see the red, white, and blue lights, the flag, and the boats [that] are all decorated.”
In other markets, buyers may have their eye so focused on the prize that your decor doesn’t matter. They’re only going to care about whether the home has good bones.
What about hosting open houses during the week of the Fourth?
With the Fourth of July falling on a Friday this year, the long weekend becomes prime time for serious buyers to tour homes, especially those who’ve carved out time with the goal of making an offer.
If you decide to schedule an open house, feel free to play off the Fourth of July theme, if not with decor, then with your food selections.
In past years, Erwin has leaned into the holiday spirit by planning multiple open houses around the Fourth of July. She’s offered patriotic sugar cookies decorated with flags, fireworks, and “God Bless America” messages, and even handed out mini American flags to visitors, small touches that make a memorable impression and draw in buyers during the long weekend.
“America is founded on freedom of choice,” says Erwin. “And it’s like, you have the freedom of choice to buy whatever house you want. So why not celebrate it? Why not celebrate the American dream?”
Sell your house faster and for more
Thinking about selling soon? We’d be happy to introduce you to a few top local real estate agents. Our service is 100% free, with no catch. Agents don’t pay us to be listed, so you get the best match.
Stars, stripes, and sold signs
Selling your house on the Fourth of July might seem unconventional, but it can actually be a strategic move. The holiday marks a turning point for many buyers, especially families, who are eager to settle into a new home before the school year begins.
Serious buyers often use the long weekend to house hunt, making them more motivated and ready to make strong offers. With less competition from other sellers and more flexibility in buyers’ schedules, your listing has a greater chance of standing out. Seasonal touches like patriotic decor or themed open houses can also create a memorable experience that leaves a lasting impression.
If you’re ready to take advantage of this ideal selling window, use HomeLight’s Agent Match tool to find a top local agent who specializes in selling homes during the summer holiday season.
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